Curling iron burn protector kit

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a curling iron accessory that is used to protect sensitive areas, such as ears, forehead, neck and scalp, from painful hot iron burns and burn scars that are often the result of using heated hair devices such as curling irons and straightening irons. The present invention is a wearable, expandable, adjustable comb, which holds the ears down painlessly while the consumer uses both hands to curl her hair. 
     Another aspect of the invention also consist of two separate burn protector combs, included within a kit; one being an adjustable comb to protect the hairline areas of the head, scalp and neck and the other a small companion comb that protects the scalp in areas that the expandable comb does not reach such as the crown or the head.

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 60/926,079, filed 2007 Apr. 24 by the present inventor.

RELATED U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2124431 July 1938 Praytor 2446122 July 1948 Bills 3167785 February 1965 Uhl 3235882 February 1966 Coleman 3926200 December 1975 Losenno 4686710 August 1987 Marston et al. 4816330 March 1989 Freund et al. 4877942 October 1989 Raab 4964175 October 1990 Taylor 5023954 June 1991 Lyons 5035006 July 1991 Hetz et al. 5072455 December 1991 St. Ours 5141189 August 1992 Andrew

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a curling iron burn protector kit. One embodiment is in the form of a double sided comb, expandable comb to surround the head to protect the forehead, neck, ears and scalp from burns. The second embodiment of the kit is a companion comb that protects the scalp toward the center of the head and is especially helpful to people with thin hair or short hair.

2. Description of Prior Art and Objects

Curling ones own hair usually requires the manual dexterity of using an extremely hot curling iron or hot type comb when looking at a mirror. Such operations can often result in causing unwanted, but self inflicted burns to the scalp, forehead, ears and the neck. For many years, people have risked burning themselves when attempting to style their hair when using hot irons and hot combs. The embodiment will also benefit beauticians to prevent accidentally burning their client.

Currently devices exist as shield-guards for shielding the hot areas of the curling irons from harming the user. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,070 to Kefelian, U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,200 to Losenno, U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,942 to Raab, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,189 to Andrew. However, most of these devices are restricted to being attached to the curling iron and hot comb themselves. Furthermore, it is still likely for the user to burn portions of the scalp, ears, forehead and the neck with these devices.

Over time there have been a number of attempts to address the problem associated with the heat of the curling iron causing damage to sensitive areas. Various wearable shields, guards and expandable combs have been invented to help allow curling iron users to curl hair without having to worry about the hot iron coming into contact with sensitive areas. All of these devices fail to specifically address the problems associated with navigating a curling iron in and around ears forehead, curling hair close to the scalp, or curling hair very low on the neck by the non beautician as well as beauticians.

Thus, there exists a need for a protecting device that allows easy navigation to portions of one's scalp, ears, forehead, and the neck to prevent burns when using hot hair instruments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention (expandable comb) is to provide a covering for protecting the forehead from burns when a hot curing iron or hot comb is being used.

The second objective of this invention is to provide a covering for protecting the back of the neck from burns when a hot curling iron or hot comb is being used.

The third objective of this invention is to provide a covering for protecting the ears from burns when a hot curling iron or hot comb is being used.

The fourth objective of this invention is addressed through the companion comb, to provide protection from burns for the scalp where the expandable comb does not reach.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the expandable comb un-stretched normal condition

FIG. 2 illustrates the casings for locking the First Embodiment and for an adjustable fit

FIG. 3 shows model wearing the expandable comb

FIG. 4 shows model wearing expandable comb while curling hair

FIG. 5 shows a top view of companion comb with clip-on spine

FIG. 6 shows the companion comb at an angle

FIG. 7 shows model curling hair over companion comb

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

Before defining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

FIG. 1 is a view of the First Embodiment (companion comb), the curling iron burn protector in an un-stretched normal condition; illustrates fine tooth expandable comb similar to be inserted around the head in the hairline. The comb is expandable and is preferably 17 inches unexpanded and 23 inches expanded, although it can be smaller or larger in both unexpanded and expanded measurements. The left end of the comb has a special tooth that can be inserted in one of three hooks at the end of the right side of the comb to lock the comb together. The top comb portion is preferably, but not necessarily, 1 inch top to bottom where lattice design meets. The lower latticed designed portion is preferably, but not necessarily, 1½ inches from top to bottom. The expandable comb is flexible to lay on the face, ears and around the head. The comb expands as one comb.

FIG. 2 is a zoomed in view, illustrating the casings for locking the First Embodiment (expandable comb) and for an adjustable fit.

FIG. 3 illustrates model wearing the expandable comb where the fine teeth of the upper part of the First Embodiment slides into the hairline of the head. The lattice portion lies on the forehead, holds ears in a forwardly downward position and downward around the neck area to protect said areas from burns while using a hot iron appliance. It is made of a thin flexible material that can be heat resistant and non flammable, such as polytatrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon, and the like. All materials can withstand momentary heat from common hot iron devices.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a model wearing the First Embodiment of the present invention the Curling Iron Burn Protector (expandable comb), while demonstrating curling hair around the ear. The Curling Iron Burn Protector is inserted in the hairline and the lower part of the protector holds the ear in a forwardly downward position. The person has freedom to use both hands in this delicate area without the danger of the ear being burned. The person has perfect control while curling and styling the hair.

FIG. 5 is a side top elevation of the Second Embodiment (companion comb) of the present invention kit. The Second Embodiment a Companion Comb is 2″×2″ in dimension with teeth that are similar to a rat tail comb. It is made of a thin flexible material that can be heat resistant and non flammable, such as polytatrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon, and the like. All materials can withstand momentary heat from common hot iron devices. The purpose of the Companion Comb of the present invention is to protect the scalp from being burned while curling very short or very thin hair that is not close to the hairline. The said Companion Comb is used by sectioning off a lock of hair to be curled. The said Companion Comb is slid on the scalp underneath the lock of hair to be curled. Then the said Companion Comb is secured in place with the clip at the spine of the comb. The spine's teeth can be opened by the clip Squeeze the clip together and the teeth open. The teeth are 1/16″ in length. Release the clip and the teeth close to grip the hair. This secures the comb in place while the hair is being curled. If the consumer accidentally lets the hot iron get to close to the scalp the Companion Comb prevents the scalp from being burned.

FIG. 6 illustrates an angled elevation of the comb.

FIG. 7 illustrates model with the Second Embodiment of the present invention, the Companion Comb inserted along the scalp while curling a lock of hair with a curling iron. 

1. A burn protector comb kit for a persons scalp, ears, neck and forehead comprising an expandable comb and a stationary comb, wherein said expandable comb with upper fine toothed portion adjoined to a lower lattice portion; said upper comb to be inserted around the hairline of the head and said lower portion in a downward lattice configuration; the expandable comb's upper fine toothed portion inserts into the hairline to anchor it in place, whereas the lower lattice configuration lays flat on the forehead holding the ears in a downward position and lays flat on the back of the neck; wherein said closure is elongated with a longitudinal tooth on said left side and a longitudinal casing on said right side of said expandable comb wherein said sides slide together for closure; wherein said stationary comb within the burn protector kit provides protection to scalp areas not reached by said expandable comb with dimensions of, but not limited to 2×2 inches, wherein the teeth design is similar to a rattail comb; wherein said burn protector kit components are constructed of a thin flexible material that can be heat resistant and non flammable, such as polytatrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon, and the like. 